Nuance Therapy

Specialising in self-injury

Personal Therapy, Counselling, Well-being, & School Based Counselling.

Joanna Naxton MBACP, BA Hons, Cert Ed, Dip Coun

21 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7EE

WELCOME!

Hello, my name is Joanna.

I work with people such as yourself to help them work through life's problems.

The therapy I offer is evidence based and draws upon different approaches, I have a relaxed way of working and I believe the relationship we build is as important as the work we do together.

I can offer you 'one to one' therapy where we would be in the same room together. A private, undisturbed and safe time to talk, explore and express. Or sit, laugh, cry, vent and discover. We may talk of life events (past and present), whatever you bring is OK.

I am passionate about research, particularly that of Self-Injury and I have experience of working with those that injure themselves and offer an acceptance approach as opposed to cessation of the behaviour. 

I spend time volunteering within a number of local therapeutic services including:

A local hospice, offering one to one support for those experiencing or have experienced loss and bereavement.

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Online therapeutic services available  - Please contact me for availability.

A psychological therapeutic service for Children and Young People offering a safe environment for secondary school aged children (11-16, with learning difficulties such as Autism and Asperger's) to explore personal difficulties, such as low mood, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, social anxiety, poor self-esteem, separation anxiety, self-injury and support with anger.

A children's charity working in primary schools helping young children process, through play, problems with loss, abuse and trauma . 

I spend time lecturing counselling  and Health and Social Care at Stockton Riverside College and thoroughly enjoy this side of my work. 

My confidential therapy rooms are within walking distance of the centre of Darlington. There is limited parking on side streets just nearby or Sainsbury's around the corner. 



I have a variety of therapeutic programmes available to suit your needs.

Rooms are quiet and inviting.

Appointments can be made to suit your schedule. Early morning, evening and weekend sessions available on request.

Outdoor Therapy in Schools

Moving outside with children to explore the natural environment.

Therapeutic value of plants

Building relationships with nature.

Thank you for visiting.


Self-harm is usually a hidden activity which young people feel ashamed of; the last thing they want is attention. They often don’t tell friends or family what’s happening and are unlikely to actively seek help, because of low self-esteem and stigma.

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Despite its appearance as self destructive, direct research with young people tells us that not only are they not attempting suicide when they self harm, they are doing it to avoid it. It’s a way of keeping alive, of managing feelings – actually more a sign of hope than despair. In that way they experience it as therapeutic.


A person who uses self-harm may not see it as a problem since it forms a way of coping with emotional pain. Others may find this difficult to understand. ​

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Inflicting physical pain may bring some emotional relief: ​

Our bodies release natural, opiate-like endorphins in response to physical pain that temporarily relieve emotional pain and distress ​

Making the preparations to inflict self-injury can provide some distraction from distressing thoughts and feelings ( a type of ritual)​

Self-harm offers a way of expressing emotional pain and distress to oneself and/or to others. Some people may wish to attract help and others will hide their injuries ​

Some people feel emotionally numb or dead inside and so may inflict pain in order to ‘feel’​

Self-harm is often associated with low self-worth and can be an expression of anger and self-loathing. Any sense of relief is temporary and is often followed by fear or anxiety about the injuries inflicted and shame or guilt about the act or its consequences. ​


University of Westminster (2018) 

https://www.westminster.ac.uk/sites/default/public-files/general-documents/Self-harm-and-suicide-thoughts_Mind-Matters.pdf


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